A former female member of the Defence Forces has been detained in Syria over alleged links to the so-called Islamic State.

37-year-old Lisa Smith from Dundalk in County Louth left Ireland for Syria in 2015.

She is being held at a camp in the country along with her two-year-old son.

She had previously flown on the Government jet in her role in the Irish Defence Forces.

Group Political Editor with Independent News and Media, Kevin Doyle, said the woman had been trying to leave Syria.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh, he explained: "She has been in contact with her family back in Ireland.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence were aware of her situation - although they didn't have all the details.

"It seems she had been trying to get out, but now she has been detained by the US forces."

The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it was aware of reports of an Irish citizen detained in northern Syria.

It said: “Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens where it is possible to do so.”